Can GERD pain last even after medication?
it seems to go away then it will come back again at night? I’ve been taking it as the doctor said.. once every day in morning…I’m not even convinced it’s GERD.. I get all the symptoms of it, but I get pain that goes to my armpit as well, or does it do that also?
Inflammation of the esophagus may occur due to infection, is most likely to occur heartburn and reflux. If left untreated can cause considerable discomfort, difficulty swallowing, stomach hurts after eating, malnutrition, dehydration and formation of scar tissue.
Burning sensation behind the breastbone and pain that comes on the chest and may spread to neck and throat, are the main symptoms experienced by people with esophagitis, who look like hell when meals and bedtime.
Such discomfort usually occur during food intake or when the person lies, moreover, the heat gets to be accompanied by regurgitation of stomach contents into the mouth (GERD) or excessive salivation and stresses that sometimes , this condition can be difficult to distinguish from chest pain caused by heart disease (angina, caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart).
AnatomyThe esophagus is the muscular tube with thin walls, lined internally with mucous membrane that connects the throat to the stomach. The food does not lower the effect of gravity, but due to a rhythmic waves of muscular contraction and relaxation, called peristalsis.”Near the junction of the throat to the esophagus is a muscular band called the upper esophageal sphincter. Slightly above the junction of the esophagus to the stomach is another band of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter, “says the specialist.When the esophagus is at rest, these sphincters contract so that food and stomach acid flows back into the mouth does not. During swallowing, these structures relax to the food to pass into the stomach.It is important to note that protects the stomach lining from the effects of its own acids. Because the esophagus lacks such structure, stomach acid flowing back into it causes pain, swelling and injuries.
Reflux esophagitis is caused by regurgitation of gastric juice substance called pepsin, which injures the lining of the esophagus, with frequent production of erosive lesions and ulcers. This condition is characterized by diffuse inflammation of the esophagus that may occur with gastric or duodenal ulcer or hiatal hernia (where a portion of the stomach protrudes into the chest through a hole that is located in the diaphragm).
The acid flows back when the lower esophageal sphincter does not function properly, so when lying down, the force of gravity contributes to reflux.
The degree of inflammation caused by reflux depends on the acidity of stomach contents, volume of gastric acid enters the esophagus and the ability of the regurgitated fluid to remove.
The pain can feel like burning or tightness, which typically occurs when you swallow food or liquids. A typical symptom of muscular disorders of the esophagus is severe and constricting pain that comes with difficult swallowing hot or cold beverage.
Pain during swallowing may result from any of the following problems:
Destruction of the esophageal lining (mucosa) as a result of inflammation caused by acid reflux from the stomach.
Throat infections by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
Tumors, chemicals or muscle disorders, such as achalasia (a rare disease of the esophagus characterized by abnormal widening of it) and diffuse esophageal spasm (a condition in peristalsis).
Every person with gastroesophageal reflux and, therefore, esophagitis, should not take lightly the condition, “and that complications of acid upstream segment include narrowing of the esophagus (a condition known as esophageal peptic stricture), esophageal ulcer and induction of precancerous changes in the lining of the esophagus (Barrett syndrome). ”
Moreover, inflammation of the esophagus may cause pain on swallowing, stomach hurts after eating or bleeding is usually mild, but can become massive. Therefore, it is essential that the doctor gastroenterologist recommends establishing the diagnosis and treatment early, thus avoiding more serious problems.
To relieve reflux can take several steps, for example, an elevation of the head of the bed (approximately 15 centimeters) during sleep, you can return the acid into the esophagus. It is also useful to avoid the use of irritants: coffee, alcohol, spicy, fat, chocolate, snuff and condiments.
The administration of drugs such as cimetidine or ranitidine may decrease gastric acidity. These drugs can be combined with a cholinergic, whose mechanism of action is to make the lower sphincter to close more tightly.
On the other hand, esophageal stricture treated with drugs and repeated dilations, which can be made using balloons or probes (dilators of progressively larger metal). Also, therapy with omeprazole, lansoprazole or surgery can relieve severe inflammation, bleeding, stenosis, ulcers or symptoms have not responded to other treatments.
Remember that if the reflux is disrupting your life, you need to go to a gastroenterologist, a specialist who will prescribe the proper treatment that can prevent the undesirable complications.